Mondays with the Marching Band: National Championship Edition
Tonight will bring all sports fans together for an event that has never occurred – the finale of college football’s first playoff series. Both teams have deserved the right to be at this battle, and with all the glory of the storied football programs, the stage is also set for two very talented marching bands.
The Ohio State University Marching Band
One word can some up The Ohio State University Marching Band — tradition. Script Ohio, Hang on Sloopy, Skull Session, Ramp Entrance, and “dot-the-I” are all staples of “The Best Damn Band in the Land.” When anyone watches an Ohio State football game on national television, chances are you will see at least one of these traditions scan across the screen. Certainly, you will hear their sounds scattered throughout the game, sometimes louder than other bands. Why? Well, when you have 225 brass and percussion musicians pointed in one direction, playing in a horseshoe-shaped stadium, the sound is able to be amplified so much as well as be heard with clear articulation. By being only a brass and percussion marching band, TBDBITL is the largest brass band in the entire world.
What keeps these traditions alive? The support by one of the largest universities in the world and its fans. For example, with Skull Session, the football team will walk through St. John’s Arena on route to the stadium. Click here on this story to see an example of the football team and band’s collaboration.
In the past few years, technology has taken over the TBDBITL and has raised the standard of drill design. With the use of iPads and Drillbook Next design software, the band has been able to create innovative shows while also reducing paper waste and sustaining the environment. Check out the video below featuring TBDBITL’s halftime show at the 2014 game versus Michigan.
University of Oregon Marching Band
The University of Oregon School of Music is one of the premiere music institutions in the Pacific Northwest. With one of the strongest music schools in the country comes a strong marching band. Each week in the fall, over 250 musicians from U of Oregon gather in “Tracktown,” USA for an exciting performance at halftime. The Oregon Marching Band is the largest student organization on campus and has been involved with Ducks’ football since 1908.
Some of the unique features of the band include: being one of the few marching bands in the Pac-12 conference with a front percussion ensemble i.e., a Pit. Another unique feature of the band are their uniforms. Being sponsored by Nike Sportswear comes with many perks, especially if Nike is in your backyard. The uniforms include custom Nike black athletic pants with forest green mesh stripe and custom Oregon black Nike Free running shoes with Nike+ capabilities. Check out their halftime show entitled “The Evolution of Dance.”
I have watched many football games this bowl season, and I have been happy with networks showing glimpses of halftime shows and the sounds of the band throughout the game has been very evident. One would hope the same will occur for tonight’s first ever college football playoff championship. It should be a great event. Two excellent schools with the best football team in the country.
